Stop motion for bobbin loading apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for bottom-loading textile bobbins into platformsupported receptacles, following conveyance of the bobbins from along opposite sides of a spinning frame or like machine, having stop motion switches operable in response to upward movement of the loading platform and/or to blockage of either of two feed conveyors extending thereto. Blockage of one of the conveyors stops the conveying and loading operations on that one side of the apparatus only. The loading platform is mounted for vertical displacement in response to an upward force exerted at substantially any location upon its undersurface, and for upward pivotal movement about one edge to facilitate servicing, but is laterally restrained at all times.

United States Patent [72] lnventors Richard J. Savageau Seneca; William 11. Drake, Clemson; Herman D. Sheron, Jr., Seneca; George S. VanDeusen, Clemson, SC. [21] Appl. No. 865,021 [22} Filed Oct. 9, 1969 [45] Patented Apr. 27, 1971 [73] Assignee Maremont Corporation [54] STOP MOTION FOR BOBBIN LOADING APPARATUS 12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 53/59, 53/77, 53/142, 53/236, 53/242, 198/232 [51] Int. Cl. B65b 57/10, B65b 5/10 [50] Field of Search 53/52, 59, 77, 142, 202, 242, 243, 236; 198/232;2l4/6.1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,403,098 1/ 1922 Orstrom 2,786,? 15 3/ 1957 Schweiter 53/242X 3,435,586 4/ 1969 Scherr 53/242 3,508,377 4/1970 Banks 53/242X Primary Examiner-Theron E. Condon Assistant Examiner-Robert L. Spruill Attorney-Donald H. Feldman ABSTRACT: Apparatus for bottom-loading textile bobbins I into platform-supported receptacles, following conveyance of the bobbins from along opposite sides of a spinning frame or like machine, having stop motion switches operable in response to upward movement of the loading platform and/or to blockage of either of two feed conveyors extending thereto. Blockage of one of the conveyors stops the conveying and loading operations on that one side of the apparatus only. The loading platform is mounted for vertical displacement in response to an upward force exerted at substantially any location upon its undersurface, .and for upward pivotal movement about one edge to facilitate servicing, but is laterally restrained at all times.

PATENIED AFRZ"! |97| 3576', 094

sum 1 BF 2 INVENTORS RICHARD J. SAVAGEAU WILLIAM H. DRAKE HERMAN D. SHERON JR. GEORGE S. VAN DEV/SEN BY MX/M THEIR AGENT amaow PATENTEU APRZ'! an SHEET 2 [1F 2 INVENTORS RICHARD \J. SAVAGEAL/ WILLIAM H. DRAKE HERMAN D. SHERON JR. GEORGE S. VAN DEUSEN THEIR AGENT l STOP MOTION FORBOBBIN LOADING APPARATUS BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for bottom-loading textile bobbins or similar objects into platform-supporting receptacles, and more particularly to improved stop motion means for such apparatus.

Apparatus generally of the type in question is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,435,586, and as suggested in that patent may be mounted adjacent one end of a textile spinning frame or like machine, such as a twister, serviced by an automatic bobbin doffer so as to receive full bobbins doffed from and conveyed along opposite sides of the machine and to then bottom-load such bobbins into boxes or other receptacles removably supported upon a loading platform overlying bobbin-elevating devices of the apparatus. While such an apparatus possesses numerous advantages, jams, blockages and other malfunctions sometimes occur during its operation since the full bobbins handled by it may vary somewhat in size and/or condition. A jam or other malfunction occurring beneath the loading platform usually first manifests itself in an attempted upward displacement of the platform, as for instance under the impetus of a bobbin or bobbins improperly engaged by one or the other of the bobbin elevating devices. Unless operation of the apparatus is promptly stopped and the jam or other malfunction eliminated, severe damage to theelevating devices and/or upward tilting of the loading platform to an extent causing overturning of the receptacles thereon could result. Prompt detection of such a jam or other malfunction and ready access to the area within which it has occurred are therefore necessary if damage is to be avoided and downtime is to be minimized.

Blockages also sometimes occur along one or the other of the conveyors transporting bobbins to the elevating devices of the apparatus, as by reason of entanglement of the free end of the yarn wound upon one of the bobbins about some structural element. Detection of such a blockage and stoppage of the operation of the conveyor in question, and preferably also of the elevating device to which the conveyor extends, should similarly be promptly realized if undesirable consequences are to be avoided. However, to achieve maximum utilization of the apparatus, operation of the unaffected conveyor and elevating device at its opposite side should be allowed to continue uninterrupted, at least until the arrival of servicing personnel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides, in an apparatus of the type described, highly reliable but relatively inexpensive stop motion means for promptly detecting the presence of a jam, blockage or other malfunction occurring beneath the loading platform of the apparatus or along either of two bobbin conveyors extending thereto. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, operation of the entire apparatus is immediately stopped upon the occurrence and detection of a malfunction beneath the loading platform, so as to prevent damage to components housed beneath such platform and/or overturning of the bobbin receptacles supported thereon. Upon the detected blockage of one of the conveyors, however, only the operation of the affected conveyor and its associated bobbin-elevating device are stopped, the operation of the second conveyor and its associated elevating device being allowed to continue without interruption.

In one of its more specific aspects the present invention provides a novel mounting for the loading platform component of an apparatus of the type in question. The mounting pemiits free upward movement of the platform in response to an upward force exerted thereon at substantially any location upon its undersurface, and further permits the platform to be readily pivoted upwardly to an inoperative position fully exposing the area and components therebeneath, but at all times prohibits undesired lateral displacement of the platform. The platform's capability for free upward movement permits prompt detection of a bobbin jam or other malfunction occurring at virtually any location therebeneath, while its aforesaid capability for pivotal movement facilitates and speeds servicing of the affected area and elimination of the jam or other malfunction by servicing personnel.

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will be evident from the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially schematic top plan view of bobbinloading apparatus embodying the invention, some of the components being broken away to better disclose details of construction;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 2-2 through the apparatus of FIG. 1, one bobbin receptacle and some bobbins also being shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the apparatus; 7

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation, partially broken away, of one of the stop motion switches underlying the loading platform of the apparatus; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical circuitry of the apparatus; and

FIG. 6 is a partial section taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 2 showing the slotted hinge members in detail.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the apparatus identified in its entirety in FIG. 1 by the numeral 10 generally includes a frame 12 having upstanding sidewalls l4 and an end wall 16; a loading platfon'n 18 adapted to removably support upon its upper surface a pair of boxes or other receptacles 20, 20' (FIGS. 2 and 3) within and through the bottoms of which bobbins B are loaded; a pair of bobbin elevating devices 22, 22' mounted within and upon the base of frame 12 for during operation raising bobbins B conducted thereto upwardly through openings 24, 24? provided in platform 18 and respectively registering with corresponding openings provided in the bottoms of the receptacles 20, 20 supported upon the platform; means including electric: motor 26, actuating switches 30, 30', and independently energizable and deenergizable clutch mechanisms 28, 28' for operating as aforesaid bobbin elevating devices 22, 22'; conveyor means including endless roller-supported belt conveyors 32, 32'Ifor during operation transporting bobbins B through the one open end of frame 10 and to respective ones of the bobbin-elevating devices 22, 22'; and means including electric motor 34 and independently energizable and deenergizable clutch mechanisms 35, 35 for operating conveyors 32, 32. Apparatus 10 may be advantageously utilized in association with and mounted at one end of a textile spinning frame or like machine (not shown) provided with additional roller-mounted belt conveyors 36, 36 for transporting doffed bobbins B, mounted in upright fashion upon upstanding pegs 38, 38', along opposite sides of the spinning frame and toward apparatus 10. In such a utilization, indicated in FIG. I, the bobbin-receiving ends of conveyors 32, 32' are disposed closely adjacent and in alignment with the bobbin-discharging ends of conveyors 36, 36' respectively, and the associated conveyors 32, 36 and 32, 36 of each set may be and preferably are driven in unison from motor 34 through the respective clutch mechanisms 35, 35' and suitable chainsprocket assemblies 40, 40' extending to any convenient ones of the belt-supporting rollers of the conveyors. When so arranged, bobbins B reaching the end of conveyor 36 fall upon conveyor 32 and are transported axially through the open inner end of frame 12 onto a troughlike bracket 42 of elevating device 22 and into actuating engagement with the actuating arm 31 of switch 30. Actuation of switch 30 energizes clutch 28 and thus completes the drive connection between motor 26 and pivotally mounted bracket-support arm 44 of device 22 for one cycle of operation. during which arm 44 pivots upwardly and then returns to its downward position shown in FIG. 2. Upward pivotal movement of arm M raises bracket 42 and the bobbin B thereon upwardly through platform opening 24 and the vertically aligned openingin the bottom of the receptacle 20 supported upon platform 18. Once within receptacle 20, the elevated bobbin is retained by means (not shown) associated therewith, and the empty bracket 42 returns with support arm 44 to its lowered position in readiness for another cycle of operation.

On the opposite side of apparatus 10, bobbins B are similarly but independently transported by conveyors 3o, 32' to bracket 32 of elevating device 22, which upon actuation of switch 30' and energization of clutch mechanism 28' transports each bobbin upwardly through platform opening 24' and into receptacle 20'.

Loading platform 18 is supported by and upon frame 12 of apparatus by means, best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, prohibiting undesired lateral movement of the platform but freely permitting upward translatory and/or pivotal movement thereof. The upper edges of sidewalls 14 of frame 12 are provided along substantially their entire lengths with inwardly projecting flange portions 15 upon which normally rest downwardly and inwardly projecting flanges 19 provided along the adjacent side edges of platform 18. Above end wall 16 of frame 12, another flange 46 projects downwardly from the corresponding end edge of platfonn 1%. A hinge member 48 has its upper section 50 rigidly secured to platform flange 46, as by means of bolts 52, and its lower section 54 captively connected to frame wall 16 by bolts 56 through spacers 57 (FIG. 6) extending through vertically elongated slots 58 provided in hinge sections 54 and into-lock nut 59. Hinge 48 prohibits undesired movement of platform 18 in any and all lateral directions, but permits the platform to be quickly and easily pivoted upwardly when desired, about the horizontally extending hinge axis, to an inoperative position fully exposing for servicing or other purposes the area and mechanisms within frame 12.

The aforesaid mounting of platform 18, and particularly the verticallydisplaceable connection afforded by bolts 56,

spacers 57 through which bolts 56 pass, and slots 58 between hinge section 5 5 and frame wall 16, also permit free upward movement of platform 18 in response to the exertion of an upward force thereon at virtually any location upon its undersurface. Such a force would be exerted upon the undersurface of platform 18 if a blockage, jam or other malfunction should occur in the bobbin transporting and elevating operations transpiring therebeneath, the force usually being exerted upon the platforms undersurface through one or more misaligned bobbins B under the impetus of stresses arising from either the continuing passage of additional bobbins into frame 12 or upward movement of one or more of the vertically movable components of elevating device 22 or 22.

Stop motion switch means are provided to detect any such blockage, jam, or other malfunction occurn'ng beneath and causing upward displacement of platform 1%, and also to detect any blockage of free movement of bobbins B along either conveyor 32, 32. To detect upward movement of platform 18, limit switches 60, 60' (see (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4), having vertically movable actuating plungers spring-biased upwardly to an electrically open position, are mounted in any convenient manner so closely adjacent the undersurface of platform 18 that their plungers are maintained in a downward, electrically closed position when platfonn 18 is supported during normal operation upon sidewalls 14 of frame 12. Upward movement of platform 18 activates switch 60 and/or 64), by releasing its or their plungers, before such movement has progressed to such an extent as to possibly cause overturning of the receptacles 20, supported upon the platform. If only two switches 60, 69 are provided, then for increased sensitivity the same are preferably mounted as shown closely adjacent respective platform openings 24, 24', since upward forces are most likely to be exerted upon the undersurface of I platform 18 near the openings in view of the proximity thereto of elevating devices '22, 22' and the discharge ends of conveyors 32, 32'.

62' -6 4 is actuated if its light beam is interrupted only for a time interval no greater than that normally required, taking into consideration the constant rate of movement of conveyors 32, 32, for the conveyance of a bobbin thereby. In the event the light beam of one of the sets 6264 or 6264 is interrupted for a greater period of time, however, as would happen if a blockage upon or forwardly of the associated conveyor 32 or 32' should impede free bobbin movement therealong, the switch set in question is actuated.

As shown in FIG. 5, switches 6264, 62'-64, 60 and 60 are all connected to and included within a stop motion control circuit further including manually actuable master switch 66, motors 26, 34, and clutches 28, 28, 35, 35'. Blockage of conveyor 32 actuates photoelectric switch 6264, which in turn deenergizes clutches 28, 35 and thus immediately stops operation of conveyors 32, 36 and the associated bobbinelevating device 22, but does not interrupt the continued operation of conveyors 32', 36' or elevating device 22'. Blockage of conveyor 32 similarly results in actuation of switch 6264, deenergization of clutches 28, 35', and cessation of the operation of conveyors 32, 36' and device 22', without interruption of the operation of conveyors 32, 36 and elevating device 22. A blockage, jam or other malfunction resulting in upward movement of platform 18 actuates either or both switches 60, 60, which in turn results in immediate deenergization of both motors 26, 34 and therefore complete stoppage of the operation of apparatus 10. The control circuit might further include suitable audible or visual alarm means (not shown) energizable by actuation of any of the various stop motion switches to summon servicing personnel. The area beneath platform 18 may easily be rendered accessible to such servicing personnel simply by removing receptacles 20, 20' and then pivoting platform 18 upwardly about the axis of hinge 48. Since not connected to platform 18, switches 60, 60' do not in any way impede such upward pivotal movement of the platform, or the immediate resumption of normal operations once the jam, blockage or other malfunction has been eliminated and platform 18 returned to its normal downward position upon sidewalls 14 of frame 12.

While a specific embodiment of .the invention has been shown and described, this was for purposes of illustration only, and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being in accordance with the following claims.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus for bottom-loading textile bobbins or the like into receptacles and including a'platform member having an opening therein adapted to register with a corresponding opening in a bobbin receptacle supported upon said platform member, and elevating means for raising bobbins conveyed to it upwardly through said opening of said platform member and into the receptacle supported thereon, stop motion means comprising: 3

means mounting said platform for upward movement in response to the exertion thereon of an upward force at substantially any location upon its undersurface;

switch means actuable by said upward movement of said platform member;

and stop motion circuit means connected to said switch means and operable in response to actuation thereof to interrupt the operation of said elevating means.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said mounting means mounts said platfonn member for upward translatory movement and also for upward pivotal movement about an axis extending adjacent one edge thereof.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said switch means includes a switch-actuating plunger element mounted beneath said platform and biased upwardly into engagement therewith.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a frame member underlying and supporting. said platform member, and hinge means interconnecting said platform member and said frame member along adjacent edges thereof for upward pivotal movement of said platform member relative to said frame member about the axis of said hinge means.

5. Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said hinge means includes a pair of pivotally connected hinge sections disposed on opposite sides of a pivot axis, one of said hinge sections being loosely secured to one of said members for relative vertical movement therebetween, and the other of said hinge sections being rigidly secured to the other of said members.

6. Apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said frame member has a substantially vertical end wall and said one hinge section has a plurality of vertical slots therein, and bolt means extending through said slots and connecting said one hinge section to said end wall of said frame member for vertical movement therebetween.

7. Apparatus as in claim 1, including means for'conveying bobbins along a predetermined path of travel extending beneath said platform member and to said elevating means; photoelectric switch means mounted adjacent said bobbin path travel and actuable by blockage thereof; said stop motion circuit means being connected to said photoelectric means and operable in response to said actuation thereof to interrupt the operation of said bobbinconveying means.

8. Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said photoelectric switch means includes a light source and a light receiver mounted in facing relationship to each other on opposite sides of said path of travel for directing therebetween a light beam adapted to be interrupted by and during passage of a bobbin along said path of travel, said photoelectric switch means being actuable by interruption of said light beam for a time period greater than normally required for the passage thereby of a bobbin conveyed along said path of travel.

9. Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said stop motion circuit means stops operation of said bobbinelevating means in response to actuation of said photoelectric switch means.

10. Apparatus for bottom loading textile bobbins or the like into receptacles, comprising:

a platform member having a plurality of openings therein adapted to register with corresponding openings in bobbin receptacles supported upon said platform;

a like plurality of vertically movable bobbin-elevating devices mounted beneath said platform and respective ones of said openings for during operation raising bobbins conveyed thereto through said openings and into corresponding ones of the receptacles supported upon said platform;

a like plurality of laterally movable conveyors extending beneath said platform and to respective ones of said elevating devices for during operation conveying bobbins to corresponding ones of said devices;

drive means for operating said elevating devices, said drive means including a drive motor, and a like plurality of independently energizable and deenergizable clutch members interconnecting when energized respective ones of said elevating devices with said drive motor;

drive means for operating said conveyors, said conveyor drive means including a conveyor drive motor and a like plurality of independently energizable and deenergizable conveyor clutch members interconnecting when energized respective ones of said conveyors with said conveyor drive motor;

and stop motion circuit means connected to said motors and to said clutches, said circuit at times being operable to deenergize said motors and :stop operation of said conveyors and of said elevating devices, and said circuit at other times being operable to deenergize only the ones of said clutch members associated with one of said elevating devices and the corresponding one of said conveyors. 11. Apparatus as In claim 10, including means mounting said platform member for upward movement in response to the exertion thereon of an upward force at substantially any location upon its undersurface; and switch means connected to said stop motion circuit and actuable by said upward platform movement; said stop motion circuit deenergizing said motors and stopping operation of said conveyors and of said elevating devices in response to actuation of said switch means.

12. Apparatus as in claim 10, including a pair of photoelectric switches associated with corresponding ones of said conveyors and respectively actuable by blockage thereof; said stop motion circuit being connected to said photoelectric switches and in response to actuation of either deenergizing only the ones of said clutch members associated with the corresponding one of said conveyors and the associated one of said elevating devices. 

1. In an apparatus for bottom-loading textile bobbins or the like into receptacles and including a platform member having an opening therein adapted to register with a corresponding opening in a bobbin receptacle supported upon said platform member, and elevating means for raising bobbins conveyed to it upwardly through said opening of said platform member and into the receptacle supported thereon, stop motion means comprising: means mounting said platform for upward movement in response to the exertion thereon of an upward force at substantially any location upon its undersurface; switch means actuable by said upward movement of said platform member; and stop motion circuit means connected to said switch means and operable in response to actuation thereof to interrupt the operation of said elevating means.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said mounting means mounts said platform member for upward translatory movement and also for upward pivotal movement about an axis extending adjacent one edge thereof.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said switch means includes a switch-actuating plunger element mounted beneath said platform and biased upwardly into engagement therewith.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a frame member underlying and supporting said platform member, and hinge means interconnecting said platform member and said frame member along adjacent edges thereof for upward pivotal movement of said platform member relative to said frame member about the axis of said hinge means.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said hinge means includes a pair of pivotally connected hinge sections disposed on opposite sides of a pivot axis, one of said hinge sections being loosely secured to one of said members for relative vertical movement therebetween, and the other of said hinge sections being rigidly secured to the other of said members.
 6. Apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said frame member has a substantially vertical end wall and said one hinge section has a plurality of vertical slots therein, and bolt means extending through said slots and connecting said one hinge section to said end wall of said frame member for vertical movement therebetween.
 7. Apparatus as in claim 1, including means for conveying bobbins along a predetermined path of travel extending beneath said platform member and to said elevating means; photoelectric switch means mounted adjacent said bobbin path travel and actuable by blockage thereof; said stop motion circuit means being connected to said photoelectric means and operable in response to said actuation thereof to interrupt the operation of said bobbin-conveying means.
 8. Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said photoelectric switch means includes a light source and a light receiver mounted in facing relationship to each other on opposite sides of said path of travel for directing therebetween a light beam adapted to be interrupted by and during passage of a bobbin along said path of travel, said pHotoelectric switch means being actuable by interruption of said light beam for a time period greater than normally required for the passage thereby of a bobbin conveyed along said path of travel.
 9. Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said stop motion circuit means stops operation of said bobbin-elevating means in response to actuation of said photoelectric switch means.
 10. Apparatus for bottom-loading textile bobbins or the like into receptacles, comprising: a platform member having a plurality of openings therein adapted to register with corresponding openings in bobbin receptacles supported upon said platform; a like plurality of vertically movable bobbin-elevating devices mounted beneath said platform and respective ones of said openings for during operation raising bobbins conveyed thereto through said openings and into corresponding ones of the receptacles supported upon said platform; a like plurality of laterally movable conveyors extending beneath said platform and to respective ones of said elevating devices for during operation conveying bobbins to corresponding ones of said devices; drive means for operating said elevating devices, said drive means including a drive motor, and a like plurality of independently energizable and deenergizable clutch members interconnecting when energized respective ones of said elevating devices with said drive motor; drive means for operating said conveyors, said conveyor drive means including a conveyor drive motor and a like plurality of independently energizable and deenergizable conveyor clutch members interconnecting when energized respective ones of said conveyors with said conveyor drive motor; and stop motion circuit means connected to said motors and to said clutches, said circuit at times being operable to deenergize said motors and stop operation of said conveyors and of said elevating devices, and said circuit at other times being operable to deenergize only the ones of said clutch members associated with one of said elevating devices and the corresponding one of said conveyors.
 11. Apparatus as in claim 10, including means mounting said platform member for upward movement in response to the exertion thereon of an upward force at substantially any location upon its undersurface; and switch means connected to said stop motion circuit and actuable by said upward platform movement; said stop motion circuit deenergizing said motors and stopping operation of said conveyors and of said elevating devices in response to actuation of said switch means.
 12. Apparatus as in claim 10, including a pair of photoelectric switches associated with corresponding ones of said conveyors and respectively actuable by blockage thereof; said stop motion circuit being connected to said photoelectric switches and in response to actuation of either deenergizing only the ones of said clutch members associated with the corresponding one of said conveyors and the associated one of said elevating devices. 